Welcome to the XXX Olympiad!

Hi Everyone!  I hope that the summer had been good to you so far ... this summer we have a little added excitement to the usual pool, beach, baseball game, circuit:  THE SUMMER OLYMPICS!
I know the 5th and 6th graders have been hard at work learning about the Ancient Olympics, the Modern Olympics and what they have in common, but I thought it might be fun for the rest of our school friends if I shared a game with all of you:  OPENING CEREMONY BINGO*!  Click below to download and play tomorrow night during the ceremony.

http://content.tinyme.com.au/tinyme_au_games_printables_preview.php?designcode=TGB00-01

In 1996 I went to the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.  It was great to meet tourists and fans from all over the world!  I like to watch the Olympics and I always get more into the story behind the athlete than who actually won the gold ... as with most things in life, the journey is usually far more important and worthwhile than the destination.  I hope you have a chance to enjoy a bit of the Summer Olympics this year ... maybe some of you will be inspired to create your own games in your backyard with your siblings and neighbors! 

See you back at school next month where we will continue to "Go for the Gold" together!

*Opening Ceremony BINGO was designed by tinyme.com

Hello Saint Mary School!

This is Miss Melville--- Mrs. Raftery asked me to share with you the experiences the eighth graders had on Friday morning in religion class!

The eighth grade religion curriculum focuses on the history of the Catholic Church, and we are currently in the middle of a unit on the Protestant Reformation.  The Church was in need of reform in the 1500s, and Martin Luther, an Augustinian monk at the time, was the most prominent voice who called for reform. 

I asked one of my best friends, Mr. Kyle Severson, to come into our class as a guest speaker to help the students better understand Martin Luther and his ideas.  Mr. Severson and I were music education majors together at Augustana College, and since graduation, Mr. Severson taught grades 4-12 music in central Illinois.  This past fall, Mr. Severson began his studies as a first year seminarian at the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago.  He’s looking forward to becoming a pastor for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America in the spring of 2015.

Throughout his presentation, the students heard a biography on Martin Luther, learned that John Huss was actually the first person who called for reform one hundred years before Luther, watched a really neat video called the “Luther Rap,” and then split into groups to do a scripture search on Romans 3:23-28, Ephesians 2:8-9, and James 2:14-18, 24.  In their scripture search, students learned that Luther based his central ideas on the Romans and Ephesians text, while the Catholic Church countered Luther with the James text.  Students then made crosses which stated Luther’s central teachings.

The eighth graders learned the Luther called for reform in the mass.  A few changes he wanted included having the mass said in the language of the people, encouraging lay participation through music, and receiving the Eucharist on a more frequent basis. The students were particularly surprised to hear about Luther’s ideas for change because the Church has since incorporated all of these changes into the present-day mass!

Mr. Severson ended his presentation by sharing that it wasn’t until 1999 that Lutherans and Catholics publically took steps towards unity through a document called the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.  Regardless of our differences, we are all Christians who have a love for the Trinity, a love for one another, and a hope for salvation through Jesus Christ.

Thanks again for stopping by Saint Mary School, Mr. Severson!!

-Miss Melville 

Bunny Day!

Last week, on the heels of the visit from the Easter Bunny, the first graders each brought a bunny in to school. They were already excited about the notion of being allowed to bring a special stuffed animal to school for the day, when their teachers let the cat (bunny!) out of the bag about the days activities! They shared stories about the Easter Bunny and other famous bunnies like Peter Rabbit and learned about real rabbits and hares. They then worked with a partner to create a Venn Diagram listing the similarities and differences between their bunnies. They also wrote a paragraph about what they learned about rabbits and created a sketch of bunnies - then added other signs of spring such as eggs, bugs, and flowers! Thanks to the first grade teachers for sharing these fabulous pictures with us!

Annie, Jr.

WOW! There are almost no words to describe the debut of our school musical, Annie Jr. (but seeing as this IS a blog ... I am forced to actually choose words!)

BRILLIANT: The entire cast, from leading roles - to supporting roles - to orphans - to chorus, are completely brilliant.

AMAZING: The teachers who spent hours, days, months, of their own time to put on this show are beyond amazing.

CREATIVE: The costumes and sets, thanks to dozens of parents, students and teachers are beautiful ... and SO creative. I LOVE the swatch of SMS plaid on every orphan's dress!

DEDICATED: The student tech crew is dedicated and seamless in their execution of this production. Lights! Camera! Action!

SUPPORTIVE: Let's be honest, when 65 of your 5-8 graders are in a school production it can disrupt the teaching day for other classes. Our SMS faculty not only supported the musical, but embraced the journey and celebrated the talents and gifts of our cast and crew. There is not a better school faculty ANYWHERE!

I hope everyone will come out tomorrow night (Thursday, March 22nd at 7:00 PM) and see Annie, Jr. This is a beautifully done production ... hard to believe it is put on by 10-14 year olds!

Oh, two more words: BRAVO, EVERYONE!!

5th Grade Trip to Camp Edwards

This is a guest blog made by Mr. Smith

Hello,

Looking back on yesterday's trip I can say it beat my expectations, and from the smiles and the good things I was hearing I think that it also beat the expectations of all the 5th grade students as well! Many of them told me how excited they were to go back in 6th grade.

We arrived at Camp Edwards and were welcomed with a delicious breakfast already prepared for us. The students were given the low-down on how meals and clean-up worked. Walking around the room in counter-clockwise direction was difficult for most to remember! After breakfast we were given a brief explanation about how the Maple trees are able to produce the sap needed to make the syrup. They split the students into three groups and then each group was guided around the camp and shown the process behind making Maple syrup. It was interesting for all of us to hear about how long it took and how much sap was needed to produce the syrup.

Before lunch there was time set aside to go down the tube slides, play a game of Gaga dodge ball, and visit the camp store. Camp Edwards then fed us a delicious lunch and allowed everyone to taste test of syrup made on site and artificial syrup. The groups' consensus was that the real stuff was best!

After lunch the Camp Edwards staff led the students around the camp and provided us with a living history about the different groups that inhabited and settled the land. We learned about how the Native Americans first settled the area and were the first to discover how to turn sap into syrup. Next, we learned about the French Voyageurs who came to look for furs to trade back in Europe. Last, we were able to see how lumberjacks used different tools to harvest and transport trees.

Overall it was a great experience and the students really had a great time!

Guest blogger signing out!

Mr. Smith

Principal Byrd

Hi everyone this is Principal Byrd! Today has been such a great day for me to experience the life of an important school leader or role model in one day. My favorite part so far was going to all the the different classrooms and seeing what all the kids do, from a teacher's perspective. Next up I have lunch with my friends! For lunch I had Jimmy John's and cookies - it was all good until they forgot one sandwich and of course it was mine! Other than that it was a great lunch. After that I taught my first class to the kindergarteners and it was a blast, we had so much fun making Valentines day cards.

Principal Byrd

Conversaciones Españolas

Last week I was happy to observe the 7th grade Clase de Espanol while they were performing the Spanish conversations that they have been working on. This year our students have been working very hard in Spanish class, as they have both a new teacher and a new series to become accustomed to. If their conversations are any indication, their hard work has certainly paid off! In addition to vocabulary and verb conjugations, Senora Mangialardi is teaching her students dialect, inferences and cultural awareness. Our students are working hard and getting a very comprehensive exposure to the Spanish language. Attached are pictures and two video samples of the convos that our 7th graders have been working on ... disfrute de!

A School Without 5th Graders?!

Today both of Mr. Smith's 5th grade social studies classes bombarded my office and seceded from Saint Mary School (if we're being honest the first class actually seceded and the second class tried but then recanted when they were faced with the challenges of becoming an independent school!)

So, now I am faced with "what to do" with our fifth graders who want their independence from Saint Mary School (I believe when George III of Great Britian was faced with this problem he rejected the Olive Branch petition, sent in thousands of troops, and ultimately started the Revolutionary War!) I could send in our Preschool and Kindergarten militia to keep the fifth graders in line, but they have been very busy reading and writing and might not have time for a war. I could simply let them secede, though when I pressed them for their future plans as a free and independent school they did not have a teacher (since I told them Mr. Smith is contracted with Saint Mary School), they did not have any funds to purchase the heated trailer that they said would be their classroom, and they did not have clothes (since I had to ask them to turn in their uniforms, as they were no longer representing Saint Mary School).

After Mr. Smith held court in my office and asked many questions of the 5th graders (which they answered remarkably well!) he mentioned that, like the colonists, they too did not have a plan for secession, so they went back to their classroom to work on one.

I would like the fifth graders to know that I have heard their complaints, I respect their position, and I LOVED their social studies lesson today, so I am not only willing to accept them back to Saint Mary School on Monday, but I am willing to cater to one of their complaints and offer each of them one homework pass. Welcome back to the union 5th grade!

PS: Great job in social studies today!!

Spelling Bee

Today we held our school Splling Bee. Prior to today's bee, studnets in grades 4-8 participatid in classroom bees and the top spellers from each grade were selected for the Shcool Bee. We had 19 spellers who, togethear, got through 24 rounds of words before a winner emerged. Congradulations to 8th grader, Edyta C. for winning the 2012 Saint Mary School Spelling Bee! It was wodnerful to witness so many fabulus spellers but the absolute BEST part was watching competing spellers cheer on, high five and be proud of each other (thanks 4th graders for the great signs!) Big thanks to Mrs. Carson for organizing and runnig the Spelling Bee!

*There is a special treat for the first studnet to tell me how many spelling errors are in my post today! :)

Unwritten

Happy New Year! I love how every year the New Year gives us a fresh start. As we start over with a whole new calendar, we have a chance to reevaluate how things are going, where we want to be and make a plan for the best way we can get there. Natasha Bedingfield's hit "Unwritten" sort of sums New Year's Day up perfectly for me; I always like to listen to this song and think about the lyrics on NYD. A few phrases that really strike me for kids are: "I'm just beginning/the pen's in my hand/ending unplanned" and "I break tradition/sometimes my tries are outside the lines/we've been conditioned/to not make mistakes but I can't live that way no". I think as parents and teachers it is our job to take the teachable moments in life and really show the kids in our lives how these song lyrics really should play out. We sometimes need to give kids permission to make mistakes or try something new; what better time than the new year to give these permissions?!

For the students reading my blog I really think Natasha Bedingfield sums it up best for you: "Live your life with arms wide open/today is where your book begins/ the rest is still unwritten."

Happy New Year - see you on January 5th!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFFBSSntZgs&feature=player_detailpage

Choices make the world go 'round!

Over the past few years at Saint Mary there has been a lot of talk about Differentiated Instruction (DI). As teachers we can differentiate the delivery of instruction, the content of the lesson and even the way that students respond to a lesson. This week alone I have observed lessons in multiple grade levels where students were given choices regarding how they could best express what they learned. In 8th grade religion class, groups of students were assigned topics, relating to Advent, that they were charged to become experts on. I watched as groups put on plays, translated bible passages, made and presented posters and performed skits, to share their research and knowledge with their classmates. Similarly, our 4th grade science class culminated a unit on animals by choosing how they wanted to share their work and information with their teacher and class: some chose animotos, some built board games, other painted murals and some children responded by writing. In each of these cases, allowing students to decide which vehicle they want to use to display information builds confidence, allows children to start with their strengths, and results in increased learning and student engagement.

So much to be excited about!

In the past two weeks a lot has happened at Saint Mary School! We have had Parent-Teacher conferences, report cards, a Read-In and Mini-Courses, we've celebrated Thanksgiving and featured our band, chorus and 4th grade chimes at a very successful Book Fair. It would seem that things would be settling down now, but as we prepare for Christmas and celebrate the Advent season, there continues to be much to be proud of at Saint Mary School! In the next two weeks our 1st and 2nd graders will share their love of God with us through their Advent musical, our 2nd graders will receive their 1st Reconciliation and our Kindergarteners will teach us about the birth of Jesus with their reenactment of the Nativity. Our 7th graders will showcase their hard work and research at the Science Fair on Thursday, our school will come together for Lessons and Carols and the band will put us in the Christmas spirit and share their talents with us at their concert. We are lucky to be a part of such a diverse and talented community!

Principal for a Day

Jingle Jubilee was amazing last night. Mrs. Orsini, Mrs. Schwabe and all of the volunteers left no stone unturned. All the special details and heartwarming surprises (did you melt when you read the student note that was left on your car?!) made the night unforgettable. The generosity of our school community is overwhelming! I am so excited to have THREE Principals for a Day this year - how cool is that?! Each principal will have their own special day. Each student will start by having a planning meeting with me before Christmas Break. We will talk about some things that they would like to participate in and find out what they want to know about being leading an organization. Over the break I will plan three distinct days - each one perfect for that student principal. After Christmas Break we will schedule one day for each student. I can't wait! I hope the kids are as excited as I am. Thank you to everyone who participated in Jingle Jubilee this year! Whether you attended last night, sold raffle tickets beforehand, got the word out in the community or offered prayers for a successful night, you helped move our school forward toward growth and greatness and I am very grateful.

Junior Achievement

Today volunteers from Discover Financial came to participate with our students in the Junior Achievement "JA for a Day" program. We had 15 volunteers who taught lessons about community, society, commerce, work readiness, financial literacy and entrepreneurship. The representatives were very impressed with our students, as their questions were thoughtful and they were respectful and engaged in the lessons. One of the JA volunteers was actually a graduate of Saint Mary School in 1985 and was thrilled to be back in our familiar halls (Mrs. Casanover even found his picture in an old yearbook!) He had many great memories to share with the students and mentioned that his SMS education prepared him well for high school and for life. Be on the look-put for a press release about the day!

As Promised!

As the excitement continues to build around Jingle Jubilee, here are descriptions and pictures of our special class treasures. BIG THANKS to the parent volunteers who helped our students turn ideas into priceless works of art! Get excited!!

PREK - Rachel DelVecchio and Suzanne Moser
Enjoy your child's tiny feet forever! In their Project, Small Steps to a Big Bright Future, the pre school classes put their foot prints on a stepstool that is almost too cute to step on. That is OK since there is a storage space in the back of the stool too.

KINDERGARTEN - Patty Antony
A wrap for your tree. This Christmas tree skirt is decorated with the fingerprint art work of our Kindergarteners. Your child's hands will be all over Christmas!

FIRST GRADE - Yvette Wisniewski and Christina Benson
Cookies and Milk for Santa. For years to come, your child will enjoy putting cookies and milk out for Santa on this beautiful keepsake reminder of their first grade year. At the base of the design are the 35 fingerprints of the class of 2019.

SECOND GRADE - Liz Bullock
Your second grader was asked to write a letter to God. In the book Letters to God you will see what our class thanks God for, asks God for and advises God about. It is funny, touching and a must have.

THIRD GRADE - Michelle Hawver
How many times have you said "life would be easier if kids came with an operating manuel"? Mrs. Emery's third grade class has set forth rules to live by. Just follow these rules and... well, at least the third graders would be happy!

FOURTH GRADE - Jill Caffarelli
On a Wing and a Prayer is a beautiful display of the cranes, in flight. Lift the wings gently to see the prayers. Miss Wilczynski shared her origami talents with her class, and made cranes. The class shared their bright smiles and their writing talents and wrote a prayer. The prayer and each child's bright smile is on an ornament. Both the cranes and the ornaments are beautifully displayed on a decorative tree.

FIFTH GRADE - Yolanda Grass, Anne Jensen
Mrs. Casanover and Mr. Smith's classes combine to give us a unique view of the fifth grade. In their book Fifth Grade, Fifth Grade, What Do You See? You will see how the students see themselves AND how their classmates see them. This is a treasure your child will enjoy sharing with THEIR children.

SIXTH GRADE - Sally Joyce
The Sixth graders show off their big hearts with Britto style hearts painted on ceramic. The night stand display on which they have been placed shows off the class' Beautiful Hearts and Cross.

SEVENTH GRADE - Judy Metzger, Bill Kron
Have the entire class over for a sleepover... the easy way. The Seventh grade class has transformed their self portraits into a blanket. As a wall hanging or a blanket this Class Sleepover is a treasure you will treasure.

EIGHTH GRADE – Kathleen Byrd
After all this time, our eighth grade class shares their favorite memories on the Travels Through Saint Mary Steamer Trunk.

Jingle is coming!

I'm so excited about Jingle Jubilee this year - and I think most of that excitement has been built by the school children! I have been surprised by how much they know about Jingle Jubilee and how invested they are in the event. They have been really happy to come down to the office to pick up their Jingle Bucks and have mentioned that grandma or grandpa or a neighbor bought raffle tickets from them - so sweet. I think the parts of Jubilee that have the student body most "amped-up" are the class treasures and teacher treasures. Discussions about these special outings with their teachers and the keepsake collaborations that they worked on with their friends have put an excited buzz in the air at school - your children can't wait for you to see what they have created (and I think they ALL want you to win THEIR special items)! The excitement of the children has really made the anticipation of Jingle Jubilee FUN and even more special than usual. I'm looking forward to a wonderful night on Saturday! (More pictures to come tomorrow!)

Red Ribbon Week

Today marks the end of Red Ribbon Week at Saint Mary School. Yesterday we had a performance called The Power of One that exposed us to different types of bullying (verbal, physical, cyber) and taught us how to stop the cycle of bullying. Today, as a school, we "Chalked the Walk" with anti-drug and anti-bullying messages. We participated in several other activities, including wearing red, wearing ribbons and Minute-to-Win-it games during the lunch periods, that allowed us to stop and think about all the great things we have in our lives BECAUSE of the safe and healthy choices that we make. HUGE THANKS to our student council officers Alycia, Natalie, John and Claire, and the classroom representatives, for decorating our school and organizing and running the games at lunch time. You helped deliver a very successful Red Ribbon Week!

CALLING ALL DESIGNERS!

The Kindergarten Garden that we planted last year has been the source of much learning over the past 5 months. Over the summer, Kindergarteners signed up for watering duty and journaled about their experiences. This year our new Kindergarteners have learned about things that plants need to grow and how to harvest. Now we have the opportunity to expand our garden and Mrs. Olsen is calling on 5-8th graders to design our new garden space. Tomorrow teachers will pass out a Garden Design Challenge. Students will be able to work independently or in small groups to use critical thinking, geometry and math application skills, to help our Kindergarteners design our new garden space. I hope that many of you will participate in this challenge! There will be prizes awarded and I am really excited by the prospect of our SMS "big kids" using their talents to help our SMS "little kids". I can't wait to see your designs!!

Congratulations Peacekeepers!

After Mass on Friday we honored 12 students with the September Peacekeeper Award. This award recognizes behaviors and actions that are in Christ's image. Congratulations to Will M., Charlie D., Emily Y., Theresa T., Ryan L., Linsey B., Andrew L., George Y., John A., Ryan F., Max K., and John I. The way that you treat your classmates and the special effort that you put forth to make sure our school community is strong, welcoming and inclusive, is truly something to be proud of!

Camp Edwards

September 9, 2011
I was so happy to be able to participate in part of our 7th graders' trip to Camp Edwards! The growth, both academically and spiritually, that happened in the context of God's beautiful landscape was nothing short of amazing. In addition to the teaching and learning that took place, there was also time for a lot of FUN! How about that zipline?! (Thanks for taking this video, Wyatt!) The very best part for me was getting to know more about the seventh graders, as people and thinkers. What an impressive group! Seventh graders - I hope that the kindness and support that I witnessed from you at Camp Edwards is transferred to our school as you model Christian behavior for our younger students. Your junior high years are certainly off to a great start!